Washington, D.C. - A U.S. team is on-the-ground in Haiti evaluating the status of the country's communications infrastructure and services following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th. The team was deployed in response to a request from Director General Montàigne Marcelin of Conseil National des Télécommunications (Conatel), the communications agency in Haiti, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

PORT-AU-PRINCE - Haitian police and civilian volunteers, assisted by the U.S. military distributed more than 43,800 hand-held radios to survivors of the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake. In a collaborative effort, the team handed out self-powered radios at major distribution centers in Cité Soleil, the Presidential Palace, the Petionville Club and other affected areas throughout the city.

The radios allow disaster survivors to receive news and important information concerning international relief efforts and public safety messages daily.

PORT-AU-PRINCE - In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti Jan.12, the U.S. is expediting the delivery of medical supplies, providing critical health services, and conducting assessments to help determine health priorities. The U. S. government also is helping to plan for Haiti’s long-term public health needs and harmonizing health inputs with other donors and groups led by the government of Haiti and coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization.

Today Americans across the country are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a day of service in their communities. The response we are seeing to the devastating earthquake that just occurred 600 miles south of Florida is a great example of Dr. King's commitment to common humanity. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) salutes the extraordinary generosity and compassion of the American people who are coming together to help the Haitian people.

Washington, DC- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health is sending additional specialists to Haiti to help assist with the rising medical needs. Reports indicate that thousands of individuals in makeshift medical facilities are in dire need of medical attention following Tuesday’s earthquake.

Washington, DC- In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, USAID is providing 14,550 tons of food aid which will help feed 1.2 million people for two weeks and is valued at approximately $18 million, to assist those affected by the disaster.

In order to expedite delivery, the food aid will come from the Title II prepositioned stocks in Jascinto, Texas. It will include 7,000 tons of rice, 4,550 tons of corn soy blend (CSB), and 3,000 tons of vegetable oil. The food will be distributed by the United Nations World Food Program and Private Voluntary Organizations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its partners, the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team. The USAR teams will be composed of up to 72 personnel, 6 search and rescue canines and up to 48 tons of rescue equipment.

The USAR team will be accompanied by USAID disaster experts who will assist with assessments of the situation.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announce today the swearing in of Jeff Borns as mission director to South Africa. Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Earl Gast presided over the event and administered the oath to Borns.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Dr. Carleene Dei as its new mission director for Haiti. As director, Dei will oversee programs to promote stability and help Haitians strengthen their democratic institutions, promote economic growth and improve education and health services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Government released today a report on assistance to highly vulnerable children in developing countries, U.S. Government and Partners: Working Together on a Comprehensive, Coordinated and Effective Response to Highly Vulnerable Children.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Since 1984, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), conceived and funded largely by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has collected and disseminated high quality data that provide critical insight for decision makers to plan, monitor, and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. The DHS project staff has helped conduct some 260 surveys in over 90 developing countries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) have partnered through the Water and Development Alliance (WADA) initiative to bring more than 12,000 people in Ramotshinyadi Village of South Africa access to clean drinking water.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Under the framework of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Forest Service, and the Russian Federal Forest Agency signed a Protocol of Intent to strengthen collaboration in the sustainable management of forests through 2013.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) along with alliance partners AED and Darden Restaurants, which owns Red Lobster and Olive Garden, today announced the Global FISH Alliance, a program that promotes sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture practices. The partnership held a reception at the AED Global Theater where a panel representing this unique public private partnership discussed the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainable fishing practices.

Janet Nkubana, Rwandan entrepreneur and co-founder of Gahaya Links, Ltd Weaving Company, a USAID recipient, will make an in-store appearance at Macy's Metro Center on Friday, December 4th at 5:30pm. Janet will demonstrate weaving techniques and discuss her compelling story.

On December 1, the global community once again recognizes World AIDS Day and the 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. This is also a time to renew our commitment to work together to fight against this epidemic and pay homage to the millions of people who have lost their lives because of it. As a major partner in the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is fully committed to continue providing prevention, care, and treatment services to those in need.

The United States and Guatemala signed a one-year, $6.75 million agreement Nov. 17 to design and implement a series of preventive anti-crime activities to address the serious security situation that threatens the stability of Guatemalan society.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Kevin L. Armstrong as its new mission director for Benin. Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Earl W. Gast presided at the event and administered the oath to Armstrong.